I have a question about applying for graduate assistantships. On the application form, it asks me for the minimum required amount needed in order to meet my educational financial obligations for the academic year. On the school's website, I read that the doctoral assistantships pay for tuition and offer a stipend of around $3500 per semester. My main question is this--and without going into my own personal financial situation--at what amount does the number I put down start looking greedy? And I know this may be a difficult question for others to offer their opinion on since it does differ by each person's financial situation, but overall I don't know if putting down a few thousand looks better than putting down $5000 or more, especially when tuition is already covered. Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? Thanks.

So, I was originally planning to ask two professors if they would be willing to write letters of recommendation for me. And this request would really mean "will you write a letter of recommendation for me x4?" (That is, I am applying to 4 schools and each school requires 2 referees) So I thought that I would make it as streamlined as possible for them by dropping off a packet of info for each, and in this packet would be all the info they would need-- that means all the info they would need for all four schools.
But now I am starting to realize that certain deadlines are coming up very quickly, and certain other schools haven't even opened up their applications process for 2010 yet and won't be for months. So, do you think it is still ok to ask these professors to write letters for all 4 schools? It means, basically, they'll have to be doing this "project" for me four separate times over the course of several months, instead of (what I envisioned) doing it once and basically just altering it slightly for each program, sending them all off, and be done with it. I feel almost like i'd be imposing too much by asking them to do this. How do people generally deal with this issue of having many schools, all requiring several letters of recommendation?

I know nothing. Halp.
Thanks.
 

  Since I'm applying for Ph.D. programs in Art History, all of my applications are due on or around December 15. I have an appointment to meet with grad students at one of my schools in two weeks, but only one of my other schools is realistically geographically accessible. I have contacted a potential adviser there, but he proposed an extremely specific meeting time and date that was out of the question for me. I politely suggested that we might choose another time to meet, but I have yet to receive a response. Additionally, one of my former undergrad professors has told another professor in my area of concentration at the same school that I'll be applying there. Here's the issue: I have a ton of academic commitments, not to mention assignments, this month, and I can't spend any more weekends away. Should I still try and and establish an e-mail correspondence with one or both of these professors? And if so, what should I say? I would like to discuss the department with them, especially since I'm beginning to doubt whether there will be a strong potential adviser for me there.
   Should I try e-mailing potential advisers at distant schools, as well, even if there's absolutely no chance I can meet with them in person? One of my schools in this category actually asks whether you've been in contact with anyone during the application process, making me think I should be. I'm just a bit concerned about having nothing of substance to say other than that I think their research interests seem to match up with mine, and about the fact that time is short.
 
Thanks in advance!

Tags: campus visit, contact potential advisers

Hi folks!

I got valuable comments last time and I have decided to re-post after making a bunch of changes. I don't if I like the text hiding behind the cut. I've become detached from it and I not sure whether it conveys my enthusiasm any more.
It seems like there is lots of great english people around at the moment and I could really benefit from your insights.

( Don't be afraid to tear it up! )

Tags: pain, science and technology studies, sociology, sop
Current Location: Chicago

here's a first draft of a SOP for a MA in English. it is not complete; i need some kind of conclusion, and any suggestions are welcomed. please be harsh, especially about tone. i am trying to tread the fine line between confidence and arrogance. let me know where i slip too far to the latter.

cookies for all if i get in! in addition to being a poet and scholar, i can bake a mean chocolate chip.

( Read more... )

Hi there! I'm mattsmodernlife's statement of purpose for a PhD in mathematics. Could you please critique me? I really want mattsmodernlife to get into grad school, so I need to be as good as possible for his application!

( I'm hiding behind a cut, for your convenience. )

Current Mood: determined

The empire strikes back

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Wii have killer CSI Deadly Intent contests!

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Enveloped in postcards

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Photos of the week

If you haven't visited our new LiveJournal photo community, you're in for an amazing visual trip. LiveJournal users from around the world will take you on a scenic journey to everywhere. Post your own pictures or kick back and enjoy at lj_photophile. You can view some of this week's awesome photos after the jump. Please start tagging with geographic location, since we'd like to track all the places around the world represented in this community. Keep on commenting too!
( Read more... )

Tags: csi, photos of the week, postcards, rss, spam, writer's block

AND, I have one other question, and I apologize in advance for being obnoxious and posting two questions so close to one another.

UIC's MPH deadline (the school I'm extremely interesting in attending) is February 1st. It's now November 5th. Assuming I already know who to ask for my recommendations, is it too late to try to apply for admission for fall 2010? I would have to go to the US and take my GREs sometime in early January, in order to get everything in in time. I haven't started studying for them, but I have materials as well as the internet.

Should I try, or should I just resign myself to starting in 2011? On the one hand, I'm way way excited to go, but on the other hand, I'll be moving home after 3 years in Panama, with a new husband in tow who doesn't speak English, will have to get him his work permit once we get to the United States plus find him a program for USMLE prep, as well as find myself a job. If you were in my situation, what would you do?

Can anyone recommend any decent GRE study materials? I am planning on taking the test sometime around March, and since I live in Panama, I need to give myself like, a month's time in order to get a delivery from Amazon.

So basically: what are the best GRE prep books? The ones I have currently are "The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT," and "Essential Words for the GRE," as well as some writing book, all of which my mother bought for me so I don't actually know whether or not any of them are decent.

I'm looking to apply to MPH programs, if anyone cares or if it makes a difference.

Hi,

I've looked in the tags, and can't seem to find the answer to my question.

Does anyone know where can I find information on the standard format for a  SOP? Is spacing single or double? Also, What sort of heading should it have?  With the high volume of applications I assume a staple in the corner is the mode, but am not sure of that either.

I realize LJ doesn't allow double spaces, so possibly that explains all the single spaced SOP's I've seen ;). Sorry if this is a silly question,  I just wanted to be 100% sure my presentation was correct. For reference I'm applying to PhD programs in English.

Thanks!

Tags: sop, sop format, statement of purpose, statement of purpose format